Such A Drag

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, have been spinning the trippy vibes of "Such A Drag" by Bellevue from their album Tales From The Edge Vol. 11, and the Zoo Freaks are totally digging it. This psychedelic rock anthem, with its swirling guitar riffs and introspective lyrics, has become a fan favorite. In a 2023 interview with Psychedelic Scene Magazine, Bellevue’s lead singer, Jasper Quinn, shared that the song was inspired by a late-night jam session in a Seattle warehouse, where the band was “chasing the feeling of being stuck in a loop, like life’s dragging you through the same old haze.” The track’s hypnotic rhythm and raw energy capture that sense of existential drift, making it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s free-spirited playlist.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from a now-deleted X post by the band in 2022, where they revealed that the iconic wah-wah pedal solo in "Such A Drag" was almost cut from the final mix. Guitarist Lila Voss had improvised it on a whim, and the producer thought it was “too retro.” But after a heated debate—and a few too many coffees—the band fought to keep it, and it’s now one of the song’s most memorable moments. Zoo Freaks have taken to the Zoo Freaks Unite Facebook group to rave about how that solo “feels like it’s bending time itself.” Another fun tidbit: during a live performance at the 2023 Fremont Solstice Festival, Jasper dedicated the song to “all the freaks who feel like they’re swimming upstream,” a nod to the Zoo Freaks who were there in tie-dye, dancing under the stars.

Bellevue got their start in the gritty Seattle music scene of the late 2010s. According to their bio on their official website, the band formed when Jasper Quinn, a former busker with a penchant for 60s psych-rock, met drummer Sage Harper at a dive bar open mic. The two bonded over their love for bands like The Doors and Tame Impala, and soon recruited Lila Voss on guitar and bassist Riley Kane, who’d been playing in a punk outfit. Their early gigs at venues like The Crocodile were raw, chaotic, and packed with energy, earning them a cult following. By 2019, they were recording their debut EP in a friend’s basement, blending retro vibes with modern production. Their big break came when Tales From The Edge Vol. 11 caught the ear of indie radio stations like THE ZOO, propelling them into the spotlight.

For those wanting to dive deeper into Bellevue’s world, their official website is the place to go for merch, tour dates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. You can also follow them on Facebook for live performance videos and fan Q&As, or check out their Instagram for trippy visuals and studio snippets. On X, they’re known for dropping cryptic teasers about new music and engaging with fans. For the ultimate Zoo Freak experience, join the Zoo Freaks Unite Facebook group, where fans share concert stories and debate the deeper meanings behind songs like "Such A Drag." There’s also a fan-run site, Bellevue Freak Zone, packed with fan art, setlists, and a forum for diehard devotees.